Butterflies and dragons
Good numbers of dragonflies at last with Emperor, Blacktailed skimmer, Common Darter, Brown, Southern and Migrant hawkers, Blue tailed, Common and Azure damselflies.
The main butterflies at the moment are Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Holly Blue and a single Clouded Yellow.
Wetland birds are a bit thin on the ground at the moment with only a few Teal, Shoveler, Tufted duck (still with ducklings hatching this week), Mallard, Greylag and Canada geese, Grey Heron and Little Egret. A Kingfisher is putting in regular appearances from the Ramsar hide.
Migrants include Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Reed and Sedge Warbler and Whitethroat.
Peregrines, Buzzards and Red kite continue to be viewed over the reserve and the Hanger along with the occasional Raven.
Grass snakes are being seen now and again around the reserve on the warmer days.
Wild flowers continue to give a good show with Purple Loosestrife and Hemp Agrimony being particularly visible.
